Google Chrome 83: What’s New and Why It’s Important

Chrome’s timely fixes and updates show that Google is committed to delivering the best browsing experience to its over 1 billion users. No wonder the tech giant delayed Chrome 81, skipped Chrome 82, and released Chrome 83.

Now, you may be wondering, “Why the rush, and when was Chrome 83 released?” Well, with the world on lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, millions of people now spend more time using their browsers due to learning and working from home. So, Google pushed some Chrome 82 features into Chrome 83 and released version 83 for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux on May 19, 2020.

What's New in Chrome 83?

Chrome 83 comes with new privacy, security, and accessibility features. Controls have been organized into two distinct sections for notification, camera, microphone, and website permissions to be easily accessed.

Also, the new Safety Check feature allows users to better protect saved passwords and scan the browser for malicious extensions. Google also included new third-party cookie control options, DNS-over-HTTPS, and other developer features.

How to Get Chrome 83

You can get the latest version of Chrome by using the browser’s built-in updater:

1. Launch the Chrome menu using the three vertical dots.
2. Locate the “Help” option and click on it.
3. Click on “About Google Chrome” and allow Chrome to check for updates.

Alternatively, you can download it directly from here.

What Are the Biggest New Features in Chrome 83?

Tab Groups

The new Tab Groups feature allows users to organize multiple tabs into small groups under a single label on the tab bar. Users can change identifying colors for tab groups, rename tab groups, and move them around the tab bar.

Although tab grouping won’t reduce memory usage by Chrome, it makes the browsing experience less cluttered for users.

Follow the steps below to enable the Tab Groups feature in Chrome:

1. Input “chrome://flags/#tab-groups” (without quotes) into the Chrome address bar and hit the Enter key for the “Tab Groups” flag to appear.
2. Select “Enabled” and relaunch Chrome.

Now, you can right-click on any tab to add it to a new or existing tab group.

Extensions Toolbar Menu

In Chrome 83, users can now manage extensions using the “jigsaw puzzle” icon on the Chrome toolbar. For easy accessibility, users can pin their frequently used extensions to the toolbar.

Use the steps below to enable the new extension menu in Chrome:

1. Input “chrome://flags/#extensions-toolbar-menu” (without quotes) into the Chrome address bar and hit the Enter key for the “Extensions Toolbar Menu” flag to appear.
2. Select “Enabled” and relaunch Chrome.

Now, you can use the new “jigsaw puzzle” icon on the toolbar to open the extension menu.

New Security Settings and Safety Check

Chrome 83 comes with the new Safety Check feature, which can notify you if your saved passwords have been compromised and guide you on how to protect them. The Safety Check feature also notifies you if any malicious extension has been installed, if Safe Browsing is off, etc.

Follow the steps below to enable the new security features:

1. Input “chrome://flags/#privacy-settings-redesign” (without quotes) into the Chrome address bar and hit the Enter key for the “Privacy Settings Redesign” flag to appear.
2. Select “Enabled” and relaunch Chrome.

Now, you have access to the Safety Check feature and the new Security Settings section under “Privacy and Security”.

Third-Party Cookie Control in Incognito Mode

Although Chrome doesn’t save browsing information and cookies in Incognito mode, third-party cookies may store it. However, in Chrome 83, third-party cookies are blocked by default for Incognito sessions. And if you ever want to allow third-party cookies for specific sites, Chrome 83 allows you to do that with the “eye” icon in the Chrome address bar.

To enable third-party cookie control in Incognito mode, use the steps below:

1. Input “chrome://flags/#improved-cookie-control” (without quotes) into the Chrome address bar and hit the Enter key for the “Enable improved cookie controls UI in incognito mode” flag to appear.
2. Select “Enabled” and relaunch Chrome.

Now, you can access the new “Block third-party cookies” option in Incognito mode.

Enhanced Safe Browsing

Google’s Safe Browsing protects billions of devices by checking whether pages and downloads are dangerous or malicious.

Chrome 83 comes with a new section that allows users to manage their Safe Browsing preferences. The Enhanced Safe Browsing mode gives users even more protection from malware, phishing, and other types of web-based threats.

To manage your Safe Browsing preferences, follow the steps below:

1. Launch the Chrome menu using the three vertical dots.
2. Locate the “Settings” option and click on it.
3. In the left pane, choose the “Privacy and security” option.
4. In the right pane, you can choose between the “Enhanced protection”, “Standard protection”, and “No protection” options.

Now, you can enjoy safe browsing knowing that you have real-time protection enabled.

DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

Chrome 83 comes with a new secure DNS feature that uses DNS-over-HTTPS to encrypt DNS lookups so that attackers won’t be able to track the websites you visit. The DNS-over-HTTPS protocol encrypts DNS queries and disguises them as regular HTTPS traffic.

To enable the DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) protocol, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Chrome menu using the three vertical dots.
2. Find the “Settings” option and click on it.
3. In the left pane, choose the “Privacy and security” option.
4. In the right pane, scroll to the “Advanced” section to see the “Use secure DNS” option. Make sure it is enabled.

Bonus tip: There are many other features in Chrome that you may like. For example, here is how to make Chrome dark mode.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you to explore Chrome 83. You now know the biggest new features in Chrome 83 and how to enable each of them. If you have any questions or comments about Chrome 83, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comment box below.

Also, if you’re looking for the easiest and fastest way to share large files of any size without paying for server space or costly monthly subscription plans, we have a trusted tool for you. FileWhopper allows you to quickly, safely, and securely transfer files and folders on a pay-as-you-go basis. Moreover, your first transfer of up to 5GB is completely free. Your transfer is encrypted with a unique ID and protected with a custom password that can be accessed only by you. To share a file with any recipient, you only need to start the uploading process and share the link with your recipient for them to start downloading your data immediately.